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The invisible effects of loneliness on our health
Learn how loneliness can affect your health - experts reveal its impact on heart disease, stroke and more.
The invisible effects of loneliness on our health
How loneliness can affect your health
Loneliness can have various effects, particularly on health. It is important to understand how loneliness can negatively impact our well-being.
The impact of loneliness on physical and mental health
The way people experience loneliness can vary, but the consequences are serious. Head of mental health prevention at Nuffield Health, Lisa Gunn, emphasizes that loneliness can affect many people's lives. According to the Healthier Nation Index 2024, 34% of people in the UK have experienced a negative impact on their health from loneliness in the last 12 months.
According to Gunn, it is alarming that young people in particular suffer from feelings of loneliness. 46% of 16-24 year olds feel lonely or socially isolated compared to just 16% of those over 65. Loneliness means not only physical separation, but also emotional isolation and mental disconnection.
It is crucial to understand the causes of loneliness. The feeling of loneliness often arises from a lack of social contacts or certain life events such as separations, bereavements or retirement.
The effects on health
Experts like Pharmica's senior pharmacist, Carolina Goncalves, point out that loneliness, especially chronic loneliness, can have serious health consequences. Studies show a link between loneliness and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Chronic loneliness causes psychological stress and can lead to elevated stress hormones, which in turn can damage arteries and lead to high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokines may increase the risk of heart disease in people who suffer from loneliness.
The role of stress and smoking
Stress caused by loneliness can cause many people to resort to harmful habits, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, to cope with their feelings. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Loneliness can also increase the risk of depression, which can negatively impact physical and mental health. The risk of type 2 diabetes also increases in people who suffer from loneliness due to increased cortisol levels and insulin resistance.
It is important to take the impact of loneliness on health seriously and take appropriate measures to strengthen social bonds and reduce the risk of serious illnesses.